As we return to the workplace, it is even more important to understand our space and its utilization. Some key questions that may be floating around include:
- Are our data and floorplans accurate?
- Do we have enough space to bring everyone back?
- What are the space requirements for each department, and do we still have that type of space?
- Will we need to do renovations to accommodate occupancy requirements? If so, what needs to happen, how much will it cost, and when will it be completed?
If you are considering implementing a Facility Management software solution to help navigate the process, here are some key things to consider.
Business Outcomes: Expanding the conversation to a broader audience allows the software to be fully leveraged. Meeting with stakeholders is key because it will meet all expected business outcomes. Each stakeholder will have an outcome(s) that will contribute to their day-to-day roles and responsibilities. The idea when implementing software is to centralize data that an organization accesses to improve efficiency and accuracy.
Portfolio: The Integrated Workplace Management System (IWMS) platform is designed to manage all aspects of Facility Management, including space, assets, real estate and lease, moves, strategic planning, project management, and sustainability. Other options are available depending on your organization's size and needs. You should have a good understanding of what you would like to capture before purchasing software.
Stakeholders: It is always best practice to understand the stakeholders in such a decision. It can be misunderstood that an IWMS platform is only leveraged by the Real Estate and Facility organization. The data that goes into a system of this magnitude could be leveraged by Human Resources, Security, and Finance organizations. Consultation with your internal IT team is critical to ensuring the implementation succeeds. Collaborate with key stakeholders to ensure that all needs are met, and that alignment is in place.
Skillset: Facility Management software can be concise regarding the necessary skills to implement and maintain. It is recommended that the skill sets of the team members using this software be reviewed to ensure there aren’t any gaps. If gaps exist, this gives you a head start on training existing team members or potentially looking for additional resources. Data: The primary and supplemental data that can be leveraged in an IWMS platform can be substantial. However, the first step is understanding the current data that you have readily available.
Facility management software can be tailored to meet any organization's immediate and long-term needs, but with the right resources for planning, analyzing, implementing, and maintaining the software, the possibilities are endless.